The Rockets (10-13) won for the seventh time in nine games despite the absence of All-Star centerYao Ming, who missed his first game this season and the third of his career because of a sore right big toe.

Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said before the game he didn't know when Yao will return.

Yao who had played in 266 of a possible 268 regular-season games, flew home before the game and will be checked out today. He is averaging 19.9 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.36 blocked shots.

AROUND THE ARENAS: Juan Dixon scored 20 points against his former team and the Trail Blazers held off the Wizards 97-92 on a snowy Sunday night in Portland. The city was hit with a snow and ice storm during the day, and just a couple thousand fans -- at best -- braved the weather for the game. ... Josh Howard, Jason Terry and Devin Harris sparked a fourth-quarter surge, carrying the Mavericks past the Timberwolves 102-95. ... Josh Smith scored on a layup with 42 seconds left in overtime to snap a tie and Tyronn Lue hit a 3-pointer with 5.6 seconds remaining to clinch the Hawks' 110-107 victory over the Nuggets. ...

Andre Iguodala tied a career-high with 26 points to lead the 76ers to a 107-80 victory over the lowly Raptors. Iguodala repeatedly dunked on the Raptors, who fell to 4-20 overall and 1-12 at home. ... Jason Kidd fell one rebound shy of a triple-double, finishing with 24 points and 13 assists to lead the Nets over the Warriors 118-90. ... The Hornets held Tim Duncan to 11 points, matching his season low, to beat the Spurs 89-76 in Oklahoma City before a Ford Center-record crowd of 19,267.